Hospital meter system

ABSTRACT

A healthcare data management system for use with an instrument for determining the concentration of a medically significant component of a body fluid. The instrument includes a first port. The system includes a cradle for receiving the instrument. The cradle includes a second port for coupling to the first port to download data from the instrument to the cradle. The system further includes a base having a third port. The cradle includes a fourth port for coupling to the third port to permit downloading to the base of data collected from the instrument by the cradle. The system further includes an accessory box including a fifth port. Engagement of the cradle with the accessory box couples the fourth and fifth ports. Engagement of the accessory box with the base couples the third and fifth ports.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Reference is hereby made to U.S. design patent application 29/101,237,titled CRADLE FOR INSTRUMENT filed Mar. 1, 1999, and assigned to thesame assignee, U.S. design patent application 29/101,236, titledACCESSORY BOX FOR CRADLE FOR INSTRUMENT filed Mar. 1, 1999, and assignedto the same assignee, and U.S. design patent application 29/101,274,titled BASE FOR CRADLE FOR INSTRUMENT OR FOR ACCESSORY BOX FOR CRADLEFOR INSTRUMENT filed Mar. 1, 1999, and assigned to the same assignee,all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to hospital and health care facility datamanagement. It is disclosed in the context of a blood glucose datamanagement system, but is believed to be useful in other applications aswell.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various systems for the acquisition and management of health care dataare known. The systems described in the following listed U.S. patentsare illustrative only, and are by no means intended to be an exhaustivelisting of the known types of systems: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,871,258;5,011,290; 5,160,980; 5,232,668; 5,246,858; 5,284,770; 5,366,609;5,379,214; 5,371,687; 5,508,171; 5,594,906; 5,522,255; 5,686,659;5,710,622; 5,789,664; 5,792,944; 5,832,921; and 5,841,023. Thedisclosures of these patents are hereby incorporated herein byreference.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Illustratively, according to the invention, a data acquisition andmanagement system is provided for downloading health care data, forexample, glucose concentrations in bodily fluids such as blood,determined by, and stored in, instruments such as, for example, RocheDiagnostics Corporation's Accuchek® Advantage™ and Accuchek® Complete™hand-held blood glucose monitoring instruments. Such an instrumenttypically includes a first input/output (I/O) port for the entry of, forexample, instructions and operating parameters into the instrument, andthe downloading of data from the instrument to a host, such as, forexample, a system of the type described in the above-identified U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,371,687 and 5,594,906. The system keeps track of theidentities of the instruments from which it receives data. In this way,the system can, for example, identify the data with a particular patientto whom a particular instrument is assigned.

According to the one aspect of the invention, a healthcare datamanagement system is provided for use with an instrument for determiningthe concentration of a medically significant component of a body fluid.The instrument includes a first port. The system includes a cradle forreceiving the instrument. The cradle includes a second port for couplingto the first port to download data from the instrument to the cradle.

Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the cradlefurther includes means for the entry of data by an operator.Illustrative data entry means include touch screens and/or key pads forthe manual entry of data.

Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, thesystem includes a base. The base includes a third port and the cradleincludes a fourth port. Coupling of the third and fourth ports permitsdownloading to the base of data collected from the instrument by thecradle.

Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,coupling of the third and fourth ports includes providing complementarysurfaces on the cradle and base. Engagement of the complementarysurfaces of the cradle and base couples the third and fourth ports.

Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the cradleincludes at least one rechargeable battery for powering circuitry in thecradle. The base includes a power supply. Coupling of the third andfourth ports permits charging of the battery from the power supply.

Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, thebase includes a fifth port for coupling to a port on a computer topermit transmission of data from the base to the computer.

Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,the system includes a computer for storing and/or analyzing and/orgenerating reports based upon the data. The base includes a fifth portfor coupling to a sixth port on the computer.

Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the systemincludes a bar code reader. The system is capable of reading bar codefrom patient identification devices to identify data which is enteredinto the system with a particular patient.

Additionally or alternatively illustratively according to this aspect ofthe invention, the system is capable of reading bar code from operatoridentification devices to identify data which is entered into the systemwith a particular operator.

Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the bar codereader is incorporated into the cradle.

Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, thesystem includes an accessory box including a seventh port. Engagement ofthe cradle with the accessory box couples the fourth and seventh ports.

Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,coupling of the fourth and seventh ports includes providingcomplementary surfaces on the accessory box and cradle. Engagement ofthe complementary surfaces of the accessory box and cradle couples thefourth and seventh ports.

Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, coupling ofthe third and fourth ports includes providing complementary surfaces onthe accessory box and base. Engagement of the complementary surfaces ofthe accessory box and base couples the third and fourth ports throughthe seventh port.

Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, theaccessory box includes a housing and a carrying handle pivotally coupledto the housing.

Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,the carrying handle has two ends. One of the ends includes a number ofyieldable locking positions for the handle with respect to the housing.

Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, thehandle includes a locking position of the handle with respect to thehousing.

Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, at least oneof the handle and the cradle includes a feature for engagement with theother of the cradle and the handle when the cradle engages the accessorybox and the handle is in the non-yieldable locking position.

Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, theaccessory box includes a drawer accessible from two opposite sides ofthe accessory box. The drawer includes a stop for reducing thelikelihood of accidental disengagement of the drawer from the accessorybox when the accessory box is withdrawn from either of said two oppositesides.

Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,the drawer includes latches to reduce the likelihood of inadvertentopening of the drawer.

According to another aspect of the invention, a healthcare datamanagement system for use with an instrument for determining theconcentration of a medically significant component of a body fluidincludes a cradle for receiving the instrument and an accessory box forreceiving the cradle. The accessory box includes a housing and acarrying handle pivotally coupled to the housing. The carrying handlehas two ends. One of the ends includes a number of yieldable lockingpositions for the handle with respect to the housing.

Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the handlefurther includes a non-yieldable locking position with respect to thehousing.

Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, thehandle includes a feature for engagement with the cradle when the cradleengages the accessory box and the handle is in the non-yieldable lockingposition.

Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,the accessory box includes a drawer accessible from two opposite sidesof the accessory box. The drawer includes a stop for reducing thelikelihood of accidental disengagement of the drawer from the accessorybox when the accessory box is withdrawn from either of the oppositesides.

Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the accessorybox includes a drawer accessible from two opposite sides of theaccessory box. The drawer includes latches to reduce the likelihood ofinadvertent opening of the drawer.

Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, one ofthe ends includes a button which is yieldably urged into engagement withone of a number of depressions which define the yieldable lockingpositions of the handle.

Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,said one of the ends further includes an opening which defines anon-yieldable locking position of the handle.

Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the bottoms ofthe depressions are formed to include ramps to permit force on thehandle to move the handle among the yieldable locking positions definedby the depressions.

Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, theopening includes a sidewall which defines the non-yieldable lockingposition. The sidewall is configured to permit locking of the handle inthe non-yieldable locking position.

Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,the opening permits access to the button to permit movement of thehandle from the non-yieldable locking position.

Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, at least oneof the handle and the cradle includes a feature for engagement with theother of the cradle and the handle when the cradle engages the accessorybox and the handle is in the non-yieldable locking position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may best be understood by referring to the followingdetailed description and accompanying drawings which illustrate theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a component of a systemconstructed according to the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a fragmentary exploded perspective view of thecomponent illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevational view of a detail of the componentillustrated in FIGS. 1-2, taken generally along section lines 3-3 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a component of a systemconstructed according to the invention with an instrument for testingfor glucose concentration inserted into it;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a component of a systemconstructed according to the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a fragmentary exploded perspective view of thecomponent illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged, partly sectional side elevational viewof a detail of the components illustrated in FIGS. 1-6;

FIG. 8 illustrates an enlarged top plan view of a detail of thecomponent illustrated in FIGS. 5-6;

FIG. 9 illustrates a side elevational view of a detail of the componentillustrated in FIGS. 5-6, taken generally along section lines 9-9 ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 10 illustrates a sectional view of the detail illustrated in FIG.9, taken generally along section lines 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 illustrates a sectional view of the detail illustrated in FIGS.9-10, taken generally along section lines 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a component of a systemconstructed according to the invention; and,

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate partly fragmentary perspective views of twosystems according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT

Turning now particularly to FIGS. 1-2, 4, 13 and 14, a data acquisitionand management system 20 is provided for downloading health care data,for example, glucose concentrations in bodily fluids such as blood,determined by, and stored in, instruments 22 such as, for example,Accuchek® Advantage™ and Accuchek® Complete™ hand-held blood glucosemonitoring instruments. Such an instrument 22 typically includes afirst, illustratively infrared (IR), input/output (I/O) port 24 for theentry of, for example, instructions and operating parameters into theinstrument 22, and the downloading of data from the instrument 22 to ahost computer 26 (FIG. 12), such as, for example, a hospital datamanagement system of the type described in the above-identified U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,371,687 and 5,594,906, or the printing of reports directlyfrom the cradle 30 via a printer port on the base 38. The system 20keeps track of the identities of the patients and/or operators from whomit receives data. In this way, the system 20 can, for example, identifythe data with a particular patient and/or with a particular operator whois taking readings/entering data into the system 20.

The system 20 includes such an instrument 22 and a cradle 30 forreceiving the instrument 22. The cradle 30 may include a second,illustratively, IR, I/O port 32 for coupling to the first port 24provided on the instrument 22 to download data from the instrument 22 tothe cradle 30. The cradle 30 also includes a touch screen 33 and liquidcrystal display (LCD) 34, key pad, or the like for the manual entry ofdata by an operator. The system 20 further includes a base 38 (FIG. 12).The base 38 includes a third port 40 for coupling to a fourth port 42 onthe cradle 30. Coupling of the third and fourth ports 40, 42 permitsdownloading of data from the cradle 30 through the base 38. Coupling ofthe third and fourth ports 40, 42 permits charging of batteries 44 usedto power circuitry 45 in the cradle 30 from a power supply in the base38. The use of rechargeable batteries 44 reduces the requirement tochange batteries. The illustrated base 38 further includes a fifth port46 for coupling to a port 48 on computer 26 to permit the downloading ofdata through the base 38 to the computer 26 for storage, analysis andreport generation, or for coupling directly to a printer (not shown) forthe printing of reports directly from cradle 30. A port 49 in the base38 permits the base 38 to be coupled directly to a printer (not shown).

The system illustratively includes a bar code reader 52 (illustrated inphantom in FIG. 2). The bar code reader 52 has a number of differentuses. For example, each patient may be provided with a bar coded patientidentification tag/card and/or each operator may be provided with a barcoded operator identification tag/card. The system 20 reads the bar codelabels to identify data which is downloaded into the system 20 with aparticular patient and/or operator. Readings are thereby capable ofbeing associated with a particular patient and/or with a particularoperator. Illustratively, the bar code reader 52 may be factoryinstalled into the cradle 30, or may be a field-installed addition tothe cradle 30. The bar code reader 52 can include, for example, aMetrologic model MH4110 or MS4120 scan engine.

The cradle 30 includes a housing top portion 60 and a housing bottomportion 62. Housing bottom portion 62 is divided into a forward portion64 and a separate rearward portion 66. The bar code reader 52 is housedin the rearward portion 66 and is exposed through a scan window 68provided in the bottom of portion 66 to bar code labels 50 to be read.The batteries 44 are also housed in housing portion 66. Housing portions62, 64, 66 illustratively are molded from filled or unfilled resins,such as, for example, an ABS-polycarbonate composite. The forwardportion 64 is provided with a desired number, five in the illustratedembodiment, of probe spring contact openings 68 into which springcontact probes 70 are press fitted. One of these probes 70 isillustrated in greater detail in FIG. 7. Probes 70 illustrativelyinclude gold plated nickel silver barrels 72, gold plated hard berylliumcopper plungers 74 and gold plated stainless steel springs 76. Amolded-in retainer is provided at the front of bottom portion 64 toreceive a front hook 78. Front hook 78 is illustrated in enlarged sideelevation in FIG. 3. Its purpose will be discussed hereinafter. The reartop region of bottom portion 64 is provided with a passageway foraccommodating a stylus 80 which can be used to enter data into touchscreen 33 of the cradle 30.

Probes 70 are electrically connected to appropriate terminals of thecircuit 45 which is provided on a circuit board 84. Circuit board 84 ismounted in the cradle 30 during the assembly of portions 62, 64. Touchscreen 33 is coupled by a multi-conductor ribbon cable and complementaryplug and socket to circuit board 84, and is driven by driver circuitryin circuit 45. An LCD 34/backlight 88 assembly is coupled by amulti-conductor ribbon cable and complementary plug and socket tocircuit board 84, and is driven by driver circuitry in circuit 45. Athreaded fastener 90 and molded ears 92 cooperating with slots 94 inhousing bottom portion 64 attach housing bottom rear portion 66, withreader 52 housed therein, to housing bottom portion 64. Threadedfasteners 96 secure housing bottom portion 64 to housing top portion 62.

Housing top portion 62 is provided with a slot 98 adjacent its frontsurface. Front hook 78 protrudes through slot 98 above the top surface100 of housing top portion 62. Housing top portion 62 is furtherprovided with an opening through which LCD 34 is visible and accessible.Housing top portion 62 is also provided with a recess 102 having anoverall configuration generally complementary in shape to the shape(s)of the instrument(s) 22 with which cradle 30 is designed to be used. Assuch, this recess 102 may be a composite of a number of differentshapes, to accommodate a number of different types, styles and/or modelsof instruments 22. A retainer 104 snaps onto housing top portion 62 atthe rearward extent of recess 102. Retainer 104 helps to retaininstrument 22 in recess 102 by holding it against front hook 78.Instruments 22 are inserted into recess 102 and urged against the backwall 106 thereof, and snapped into place and held in place with thecooperation of front hook 78 and retainer 104.

Turning now to FIGS. 5-11, an accessory box 110 useful in transportingcradle 30 from place to place will be described in greater detail.Accessory box 110 includes a housing bottom portion 112 and a housingtop portion 116, both of which illustratively are injection molded orotherwise formed from suitable filled or unfilled resins, and a ceilingplate 114, which illustratively is constructed from stamped metal, allheld together, for example, by threaded fasteners 118. The rear regionof housing bottom portion 112 includes a rear wall 120 having twoupwardly opening semicircular cutouts 122, 124 formed therein. Cutout122 is generally centered in the span of wall 120. Cutout 124 is offsetto one side. A partial wall 126 extends upward from the floor of housingbottom portion 112 forward of wall 120. Partial wall 126 has a cutout128 formed in the upper extent thereof to receive the shank 130 of alocking button 132. A coil compression spring 136 is captured on shank130 between partial wall 126 and a collar 138 formed on button 132 tourge button 132 out of rear wall 120. Collar 138 also captures button132 in rear wall 120.

The forward region of housing bottom portion 112 includes a forward wall140 having an upwardly opening semicircular cutout 142 formed therein.Cutout 142 is generally centered in the span of wall 140. Housing topportion 116 includes a rear wall 144 having two downwardly openingsemicircular cutouts 122, 124 complementary to cutouts 122, 124 in wall120 formed therein, and a forward wall 146 having a downwardly openingsemicircular cutout 142 complementary to cutout 142 in wall 140 formedtherein. A carrying handle 150 includes a handgrip 152 and two ends 154,156 for positioning at the back and front, respectively, of accessorybox 110. Each end 154, 156 includes a pivot post 158 for engagement in arespective hole formed by a respective pair of cutouts 122, 122 and 142,142. Pivot posts 158 are provided with retaining projections whichprevent the posts 158 from disengaging from accessory box 110. One, 154,of the ends includes a circumferentially extending channel 160 foraccommodating button 132. The bottom of channel 160 includes a number,illustratively four, of depressions 162 which define locking positionsfor handle 150, and an opening 164 which defines a central lockingposition of handle 150. The contours of the bottoms of depressions 162are best illustrated in FIG. 11. As can be appreciated from FIG. 11, thecontours of the bottoms of depressions 162 are smoothly curved to permitforce on the handle 150 to move the handle among the positions definedby depressions 162 without damaging the handle 150 or the button 132.The depressions 162 are generally somewhat egg-shaped or elliptical inplan view to enhance this releasing characteristic of the handle 150 inthese positions. The sidewalls of the central opening 164 are generallystraight to permit more secure locking of handle 150 in the uprightposition. Opening 164 permits access to button 132 when handle 150 is inthe upright position to release button 132 and permit movement of handle150 from the upright position. When handle 150 is in the uprightposition and a cradle 30 is engaged in the recess 165 provided thereforon the top of accessory box 110, the cradle 30 is locked into the recess165 by the engagement of stops 167 and 169 provided on the accessory box110 and handle 150, respectively. The handle 150 illustratively can bemade by gas assisted injection molding to make the handle 150 morerobust and capable of withstanding shock, for example, during droptesting.

Probes 70 of cradle 30 make electrical contact with correspondingterminals 166 provided and positioned for this purpose on housing topportion 116 when cradle 30 is positioned in housing top portion 116. Aribbon cable 163 includes plugs 168 and 170 for making electricalcontact to terminals 166 and another set of terminals 172 in the housingbottom portion 112. Terminals 172 include probes 174 of the same generalconfiguration and mounting as probes 70 for a purpose which will bedescribed later. Housing 110 also includes a drawer 176 which can bewithdrawn from either side of housing 110. Stops 178 provided in thebottom wall 180 of housing bottom portion 112 prevent the drawer 176from being accidentally disengaged from housing 110, regardless of fromwhich side of housing 110 drawer 176 is withdrawn. Drawer 176 alsoincludes spring 182-urged latches 184 which reside in wells 186 providedfor latches 184 in both handles 188 of drawer 176. These latches 184cooperate with stops 190 provided on housing top portion 116 to preventthe drawer 176 from accidentally coming open, for example, whileaccessory box 110 is being transported from station (for example,patient, nurses' station or the like) to station. Housing 110 componentsillustratively are also molded from filled or unfilled resins, such as,for example, an ABS-polycarbonate composite. Drawer 176 illustrativelymay be formed from a transparent or semi-transparent material such as,for example, polycarbonate.

As previously noted, the system 20 further includes base 38. Base 38includes a third port 40 for coupling to a complementarily configuredfourth port 42 on the cradle 30. Coupling of the third and fourth ports40, 42 is achieved directly by placement of the cradle 30 directly onbase 38, in which case probes 70 contact respective terminals 192provided and positioned for this purpose on the top surface 194 of base38. This permits downloading of data collected from instruments 22 bythe cradle 30 through the base 38. Coupling of the third and fourthports 40, 42 can also be achieved through the accessory box 110 whencradle 30 is positioned on an accessory box 110. In this case, theelectrical connection is through probes 70, terminals 166, plug 168,ribbon cable 163, plug 170, terminals 172 and probes 174 to respectiveterminals 192 in base 38. The recess 195 in the top surface 194 of base38 is configured to accept either cradle 30 or accessory box 110. Again,coupling of the third and fourth ports 40, 42 permits charging ofbatteries 44 used to power circuitry 45 in the cradle 30 through thebase 38. The use of rechargeable batteries 44 reduces the requirement tochange batteries. The illustrated base 38 further includes a fifth port46 for coupling to a port 48 on computer 26 to permit the downloading ofdata through the base 38 to the computer 26 for storage, analysis andreport generation. The bottom portion of base 38 illustratively isconstructed from stamped metal and the top portion of base 38illustratively is molded from filled or unfilled resins, such as, forexample, an ABS-polycarbonate composite.

The illustrated system 20 is thus modular. The health care worker isafforded the flexibility to decide how much of the system 20 totransport to any given patient care site. For example, the worker mayelect in certain instances to take only the instrument 22 itself, withentry of data and patient identification being left to be performed, forexample, in part by entry through touch screen 33 or key pad, at somesite remote from the patient's location, for example, at a nurses'station on a ward in a hospital. Or, for example, the worker may electto take an instrument 22 and the cradle 30 to a patient care site, oruse the cradle 30 with an instrument 22 already at a patient care site.Optionally, the worker may elect to take an instrument 22, cradle 30,and an accessory box 110 to a patient care site.

1. A healthcare data management system for use with an instrument fordetermining the concentration of a medically significant component of abody fluid, the instrument including a first port, the system includinga cradle for receiving the instrument, the cradle including a secondport for coupling to the first port to download data from the instrumentto the cradle.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cradle furtherincludes means for the entry of data by an operator.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 2 wherein the data entry means includes a touch screen for themanual entry of data.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the data entrymeans includes a key pad for the manual entry of data.
 5. The apparatusof claim 1 further including a base, the base including a third port andthe cradle including a fourth port, coupling of the third and fourthports permitting downloading to the base of data collected from theinstrument by the cradle.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein couplingof the third and fourth ports includes providing complementary surfaceson the cradle and base, engagement of the complementary surfaces of thecradle and base coupling the third and fourth ports.
 7. (canceled) 8.The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the base includes a fifth port forcoupling to a port on a computer to permit transmission of data from thebase to the computer.
 9. The apparatus of claim 5 and further includinga computer for at least one of storing the data, analyzing the data, andgenerating reports based upon the data, the base including a fifth portfor coupling to a sixth port on the computer.
 10. The apparatus of claim1 further including a bar code reader and patient identificationdevices, the system being capable of reading bar code from the patientidentification devices to identify data which is entered into the systemwith a particular patient. 11-13. (canceled)
 14. The apparatus of claim1 further including an accessory box including a third port, the cradleincluding a fourth port, engagement of the cradle with the accessory boxcoupling the third and fourth ports.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14wherein coupling of the third and fourth ports includes providingcomplementary surfaces on the accessory box and cradle, engagement ofthe complementary surfaces of the accessory box and cradle coupling thethird and fourth ports. 16-19. (canceled)
 20. The apparatus of claim 14wherein the accessory box further includes a housing and a carryinghandle pivotally coupled to the housing. 21-36. (canceled)
 37. Ahealthcare data management system for use with an instrument fordetermining the concentration of a medically significant component of abody fluid, the instrument including a first port, the system includinga cradle for receiving the instrument, the cradle including a secondport for coupling to the first port to download data from the instrumentto the cradle, a base including a third port and the cradle including afourth port, coupling of the third and fourth ports permittingdownloading to the base of data collected from the instrument by thecradle, the cradle including at least one rechargeable battery forpowering circuitry in the cradle, the base including a power supply,coupling of the third and fourth ports permitting charging of thebattery from the power supply.
 38. A healthcare data management systemfor use with an instrument for determining the concentration of amedically significant component of a body fluid, the instrumentincluding a first port, the system including a cradle for receiving theinstrument, the cradle including a second port for coupling to the firstport to download data from the instrument to the cradle, the cradleincluding a bar code reader, the system further including patientidentification devices, the bar code reader being capable of reading barcode from the patient identification devices to identify data which isentered into the system with a particular patient.
 39. A healthcare datamanagement system for use with an instrument for determining theconcentration of a medically significant component of a body fluid, theinstrument including a first port, the system including a cradle forreceiving the instrument, the cradle including a second port forcoupling to the first port to download data from the instrument to thecradle, a bar code reader, and operator identification devices, thesystem being capable of reading bar code from the operatoridentification devices to identify data which is entered into the systemwith a particular operator.
 40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein thebar code reader is incorporated into the cradle.
 41. A healthcare datamanagement system for use with an instrument for determining theconcentration of a medically significant component of a body fluid, theinstrument including a first port, the system including a cradle forreceiving the instrument, the cradle including a second port forcoupling to the first port to download data from the instrument to thecradle, an accessory box including a third port, the cradle including afourth port, engagement of the cradle with the accessory box couplingthe third and fourth ports, a base including a fifth port, engagement ofthe accessory box with the base coupling the fifth port and the thirdport through the accessory box to permit downloading to the base of datacollected from the instrument by the cradle.
 42. The apparatus of claim41 wherein coupling of the third and fifth ports includes providingcomplementary surfaces on the accessory box and base, engagement of thecomplementary surfaces of the accessory box and base being designed toachieve coupling of the third and fifth ports.
 43. The apparatus ofclaim 41 wherein the base includes a sixth port for coupling to a porton a computer to permit the downloading of data from the base to thecomputer.
 44. The apparatus of claim 41 and further including a computerfor at least one of storing the data, analyzing the data, and generatingreports based upon the data, the base including a sixth port forcoupling to a seventh port on the computer.
 45. A healthcare datamanagement system for use with an instrument for determining theconcentration of a medically significant component of a body fluid, theinstrument including a first port, the system including a cradle forreceiving the instrument, the cradle including a second port forcoupling to the first port to download data from the instrument to thecradle, an accessory box including a third port, the cradle including afourth port, engagement of the cradle with the accessory box couplingthe third and fourth ports, the accessory box further including ahousing and a carrying handle pivotally coupled to the housing, thecarrying handle having two ends, one of the ends including a number ofyieldable locking positions for the handle with respect to the housing.46. The apparatus of claim 45 further including a non-yieldable lockingposition of the handle with respect to the housing.
 47. The apparatus ofclaim 46 wherein at least one of the handle and the cradle includes afeature for engagement with the other of the cradle and the handle whenthe cradle engages the accessory box and the handle is in thenon-yieldable locking position.
 48. A healthcare data management systemfor use with an instrument for determining the concentration of amedically significant component of a body fluid, the instrumentincluding a first port, the system including a cradle for receiving theinstrument, the cradle including a second port for coupling to the firstport to download data from the instrument to the cradle, an accessorybox including a third port, the cradle including a fourth port,engagement of the cradle with the accessory box coupling the third andfourth ports, the accessory box further including a drawer accessiblefrom two opposite sides of the accessory box, the drawer including astop for reducing the likelihood of accidental disengagement of thedrawer from the accessory box when the accessory box is withdrawn fromeither of said two opposite sides.
 49. A healthcare data managementsystem for use with an instrument for determining the concentration of amedically significant component of a body fluid, the instrumentincluding a first port, the system including a cradle for receiving theinstrument, the cradle including a second port for coupling to the firstport to download data from the instrument to the cradle, an accessorybox including a third port, the cradle including a fourth port,engagement of the cradle with the accessory box coupling the third andfourth ports, the accessory box including a drawer accessible from twoopposite sides of the accessory box, the drawer including latches toreduce the likelihood of inadvertent opening of the drawer.
 50. Ahealthcare data management system including an instrument fordetermining the concentration of a medically significant component of abody fluid, the instrument including a first port, the system furtherincluding a cradle for receiving the instrument, the cradle including asecond port for coupling to the first port to download data from theinstrument.
 51. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the system furtherincludes a touch screen for the entry of data by an operator.
 52. Theapparatus of claim 50 wherein the system further includes a key pad forthe manual entry of data.
 53. A healthcare data management systemincluding an instrument for determining the concentration of a medicallysignificant component of a body fluid, the instrument including a firstport, the system further including a cradle for receiving theinstrument, the cradle including a second port for coupling to the firstport to download data from the instrument, the system further includinga bar code reader and patient identification devices, the system beingcapable of reading bar code from the patient identification devices toidentify data which is entered into the system with a particularpatient.
 54. The apparatus of claim 53 wherein the system furtherincludes a touch screen for the entry of data by an operator.
 55. Theapparatus of claim 53 wherein the system further includes a key pad forthe manual entry of data.
 56. A healthcare data management systemincluding an instrument for determining the concentration of a medicallysignificant component of a body fluid, the instrument including a firstport, the system further including a cradle for receiving theinstrument, the cradle including a second port for coupling to the firstport to download data from the instrument, the system including a barcode reader, the system further including patient identificationdevices, the bar code reader being capable of reading bar code from thepatient identification devices to identify data which is entered intothe system with a particular patient.
 57. A healthcare data managementsystem including an instrument for determining the concentration of amedically significant component of a body fluid, the instrumentincluding a first port, the system further including a cradle forreceiving the instrument, the cradle including a second port forcoupling to the first port to download data from the instrument, a barcode reader, and operator identification devices, the system beingcapable of reading bar code from the operator identification devices toidentify data which is entered into the system with a particularoperator.